Page 29 of The Hopeless Romantic’s Guide to Enchantment

Protected by corrupt officials, the Baishan Sect tore through towns and villages abducting women and girls with impunity. She glanced at Brother Shuang, calculating what information she was willing to share.

There was an unguarded softness in those brown eyes and she found herself saying more than was prudent. “The Vice Chancellor of the Court of Judicial Review was framed. He wasn’t the one behind the abductions.”

Brother Shuang chuckled softly to himself. “Fate has brought us together,” he said. “I’m looking for the testimony that proves his innocence. It’s hidden in a painting by Lord Cui.”

“How do you know that?” Surprise made her tone sharper than she’d intended.

If he was taken aback by her reaction, he didn’t show it. He scratched his head, then in a gentle voice, said, “My uncle owes a life debt to the Vice Chancellor and asked me to investigate. It’s taken many months of searching but I finally tracked down an old servant who overheard the Vice Chancellor telling someone he hid the evidence in Lord Cui’s painting.”

Feifei’s entire body went numb. If the servant knew that someone had been her mother, her entire family was in danger. She fought to keep her voice level. “That’s impressive. Who else was in the room with the Vice Chancellor?”

“The servant never saw the person, only two shadows. I made a list of everyone who received a painting from the Vice Chancellor and have been checking them.” He nodded at her chest. “That was the only scroll the magistrate had with Lord Cui’s seal.”

Feifei pressed her lips together, still unsure about trusting this stranger.

“So, now I’ve shared my reasons, could you maybe share yours?”

Brother Shuang didn’t sound annoyed, as Feifei might have been in his shoes. Neither did he demand her honesty. Rather, he seemed amused. This, more than anything, lowered Feifei’s guard.

“Fate has indeed brought us together,” she said. “I’m also looking for that testimony. My mother and the Vice Chancellor’s daughter were sworn sisters. I promised to clear his name.” That was enough information until the stranger earned her trust. “I will check the painting at home—”

“Come on, I’m dying to know if that’s the right painting. Don’t torture your brother.”

Feifei crossed her arms, continuing primly, “Tomorrow night at third geng, we’ll meet here. Bring your list and I’ll tell you which ones I’ve already checked. Maybe we can cut down on some work.”

“You’re such a brat,” he said, playfully punching her shoulder.

She turned away, but he wouldn’t let up, play-wrestling her as if they were children. Growing annoyed, she finally tried to buck him off. But it only threw him off-balance and he ended up falling onto her, landing with one hand square on each breast.

Brother Shuang glanced at his hands and frowned. Panicking, she shoved him full force, flinging him onto the roof.

She thought he gave her an odd look, but when he hopped down to the weed-filled courtyard, he raised his hands once more in zuoyi. She must have imagined it; relieved her qi buffer still held.

“I’m sorry for teasing you,” he said. “I know you don’t trust me yet, Brother Jin. It’s right for you to be cautious. But I want you to know, I’m a man of my word. I swear on my life as your brother and as Master Sun’s disciple, I will not fail you. Tomorrow at third geng.”

They parted. She had not made it a quarter of the way home when the fifth watch drum sounded, startling her.

How had so much time passed? Feifei had planned to double back on herself to make sure she wasn’t followed, but she was out of time. The darkness she depended on was fast lifting; not just that but the household would be waking. She raced home, flying across roof ridge after roof ridge, doing her best to stay low. Her heart pounded as she leapt over the wall into the west courtyard, hurrying along the back of the Pavilion of the Reflected Moon and ducking behind a tree to avoid Hsiao Niang’s servants. When the way was clear, she leapt to her balcony and disappeared into the safety of her room.

* * *

Feifei lay in bed, muscles aching, blankets pulled up to her chin, staring at the ceiling. By and by the shadows paled, but sleep eluded her. She’d forgotten how exhilarating it was to spar with someone whose skill matched hers, and though Brother Shuang had done most of the speaking, their conversation afterwards left a warm, fluttery feeling deep in her belly.

Excited, nervous, happy. It had been a long time since Feifei had felt this way. Not since her days pilgrimaging to the mountain temple where Hsiao Niang would light incense and meditate to honour her mother’s spirit.

That first trip had changed her life.

To keep Feifei safe from bandits, Hsiao Niang dressed her as a servant boy. Once they’d arrived at the temple, she instructed Feifei not to disturb her meditation.

It wasn’t long before Feifei got hungry and bored and wanted to ask for food. But nothing she did could rouse Hsiao Niang from her meditative state. She whispered, blew in her ear, even dared to tug on her sleeve. Defeated, she sat in a corner feeling sorry for herself until she smelled some thing delicious.

Feifei followed her nose to the other side of the temple where there was another large building. She peeked around the door. In the courtyard, a dozen boys sat at tables eating lunch. Master Sun saw her and asked if she wanted to join them. Eagerly she nodded.

Fall leaves crunched under her shoes as she crossed the courtyard holding a bowl filled with steamed rice and braised beef. She felt shy and a little scared because she was, after all, a girl in disguise. What if they found out? Would she get a beating? Fear gripped her and she became teary. As she was about to run back to Hsiao Niang, a chair scraped against the floor. A clear voice said, “F-F-Friend, s-s-it here.”

A chubby boy pointed at the seat he’d just vacated. He had a round face, rosy cheeks, and a grin like a bright moonbeam, a grin that banished shadows, a grin that made her feel warm and safe. Fan Tong. Smiling, she finally drifted off to sleep.

* * *